continued problem with AUTOLINK not working

[Tomhad]

Hi

I really need some help with this. I have been using MSProejct since before
Windows and recently upgraded to 2003 Standard.

Firstly, I discovered by accident that the outlining function on the as
shipped version was not working properly and updated to SP2. (is this the
latest ???)

Now however, I am experiencing another major issue

After setting up a list of tasks with dependencise and then trying to
outline using keyboard short cuts or the mouse. MSP IS BREAKING LINKS ! even
though I have Autolink switched on

This is a real problem , thankfully it was not a big schedule but it
resulted in almost all of my links being lost or out of order !

It can be replicated by doing the following:-

Set up a three actvity schedule ABC etc, outline them under an "overall" task

Gantt shows three linked tasks with a summary, then try to move a task up or
down, the links are broken ???

This is definitly a bug, It does the opposite to what it says it does, it
does not keep the links it breaks them !!How do I get it fixed ? any one
know. ?

I am not interested in work arounds (even if there are any, it takes me too
much time already fixing MS's poor quality software) the software should
behave the way it says it does ? How can I report it to MS ?? any one know ?

This is a real nuisance



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[JulieS]

Hi Tomhad

My answers are embedded.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information about
Microsoft Project

Hi

I really need some help with this. I have been using MSProejct since
before
Windows and recently upgraded to 2003 Standard.

Firstly, I discovered by accident that the outlining function on the as
shipped version was not working properly and updated to SP2. (is this the
latest ???)

[Julie] Yes, SP2 is the latest Service Pack for MS Project 2003.

Now however, I am experiencing another major issue

After setting up a list of tasks with dependencise and then trying to
outline using keyboard short cuts or the mouse. MSP IS BREAKING LINKS !
even
though I have Autolink switched on

[Julie] Autolink will break the link if you have a task and then "promote"
it to a summary task. Summary tasks cannot be linked to one of their own
subtasks.

This is a real problem , thankfully it was not a big schedule but it
resulted in almost all of my links being lost or out of order !

It can be replicated by doing the following:-

Set up a three actvity schedule ABC etc, outline them under an "overall"
task

Gantt shows three linked tasks with a summary, then try to move a task up
or
down, the links are broken ???

[Julie] Okay, I have created the Summary Task "Overall stuff" (ID1) with 3
subtasks:
A (ID2)
B (ID3)
C (ID4)

I link all 3 subtasks:
A (ID2) is predecessor to B (ID3) (Finish to Start)
B (ID3) is predecessor C(ID4) (Finish to Start)

With AutoLink enabled: If I attempt to move Task C (current ID 4) before
Task B (current ID 3) the result is:
A (ID2) is predecessor to C (ID3) Finish to Start
C (ID3) is predecessor to B (ID4) Finish to Start

All works as expected.

However, if I start with the original scenario and then try to move Task C
(ID4) before the Summary Task (ID1), the link is broken.

If I use any type of link *other than F to S* (S to S, F to F, S to F) even
with Autolink enabled, the links are broken. If a F to S link has either
lag or lead, the link is broken.

Put simply: the option for "Autolink inserted or moved tasks" will only
keep links if the link is F to S without lead or lag and you move the task
within its own subtask structure. If you attempt to move a task out of the
summary/sub structure the link is broken.

Please do note, I do not work for Microsoft. Even so, I do not agree with
the idea that the behavior is a bug. As far as I know, Autolink has always
operated in this manner - no change from any previous release. It it
potentially confusing, yes. Is it a bug, in my opinion, no.

 

[davegb]

Hi

I really need some help with this. I have been using MSProejct since before
Windows and recently upgraded to 2003 Standard.

Firstly, I discovered by accident that the outlining function on the as
shipped version was not working properly and updated to SP2. (is this the
latest ???)

Now however, I am experiencing another major issue

After setting up a list of tasks with dependencise and then trying to
outline using keyboard short cuts or the mouse. MSP IS BREAKING LINKS ! even
though I have Autolink switched on

This is a real problem , thankfully it was not a big schedule but it
resulted in almost all of my links being lost or out of order !

It can be replicated by doing the following:-

Set up a three actvity schedule ABC etc, outline them under an "overall" task

Gantt shows three linked tasks with a summary, then try to move a task up or
down, the links are broken ???

This is definitly a bug, It does the opposite to what it says it does, it
does not keep the links it breaks them !!How do I get it fixed ? any one
know. ?

I am not interested in work arounds (even if there are any, it takes me too
much time already fixing MS's poor quality software) the software should
behave the way it says it does ? How can I report it to MS ?? any one know ?

This is a real nuisance

I've been teaching my students for years to turn Autolink off before
they start using Project and set it off as default. No software on the
planet knows exactly when to add and when to break links. Your fix is
simple, turn it off and leave it off. Do the linking yourself so you
have control of it.

Hope this helps in your world.